THE 10 Parishes area around Wiveliscombe will benefit from up to £3,000 of community grants, paid for by solar power.

Brendon Energy, a local renewable power co-operative, is providing the money, made from its two roof mounted solar installations in Wiveliscombe and is seeking ideas for what to spend the money on.

Brendon Energy is a community benefit co-operative that was established in 2011.

It currently has six roof mounted solar pv installations, Wiveliscombe Children’s Centre and Community Centre, Wellington Rugby Club and Bowls Club and on village halls at Brompton Regis and Churchinford.

The host building gets to use the electricity generated for free and profits go back to the local community funds for each area.

The two Wiveliscombe installations contribute to a ‘10 Parishes Community Fund’ to benefit the area around Wiveliscombe - Wiveliscombe, Milverton, Ashbrittle, Stawley, Huish Champflower, Fitzhead, Brompton Ralph, Clatowrthy, Chipstable and Bathealton.

The recipients of the grants will be decided by a vote by Brendon Energy members at the AGM in early October 2015.

Brendon Energy Director, Richard Brunning, said: “It’s great that locally owned green power is giving its profits straight back to the local community.

“Local power providing local benefit has got to be the way forward. ”

Recipients of the 10 Parishes Fund in 2014 were:

£500 to The Paddocks Nursery to enhance the garden

£500 to the Kingsmead International Exchange for the Zambia Exchange programme

£500 to the Wiveliscombe Community Centre for a water efficient urinal system

£250 to the In The Mix Youth Project for ICT equipment for a apprentice youth worker

£400 to Wivey Link

£100 to Wiveliscombe RFC Juniors for a new noticeboard

£250 to the UNHCR Syria appeal for cooking equipment for refugees

2013

£200 to Wivey Link

£200 for goal posts on Wiveliscombe Recreation Ground

£50 towards kit for Wiveliscombe Rugby FC

£50 to Practical Action for solar pumps in Kenya

2012

£250 to Ten Communities Youth (10 CY)

£250 to Brendon Orchards Cooperative

To apply just complete the one page application form on the website http://brendonenergy.org/.

Anything that supports the community could benefit - closing date for applications is the September 25.

Brendon Energy has more than doubled its green energy generation in a year, providing free electricity to a range of community buildings in Somerset, and feeding the profits back into local communities.

With the help of a recent grant they are seeking to expand in the Taunton area this year, helping local community facilities and fighting climate change.